If you have watch my videos on salary negotiation, I try to cover a whole range of different options from the hardball to the softball. The show goes into the softer category which, frankly, I prefer for most of you because I don't think most of you can be hardball negotiators. In sales, it's different. There, I'm going to push you to be a tough negotiator because that is part of what they will be measuring you for. For most of you, however, softball, the gentle approach, not getting into arguments and confrontations, but presenting this as an "ask," and not a demand is far more effective.

When you get the offer, here is how you respond.

"WOW! That's terrific! Thank you so much. I'm so excited! But I must in all candor tell you that I love this firm the opportunity, but I have several other offers at the same salary level or in the same range." Then you shut up because the next thing that they're going to follow up with is, "So what do you plan on doing?"

"I need to sit with this a little bit. I'm hoping you could do a bit better to match my highest offer."

Understand that for most organizations, a 5 or $10,000 improvement is not going to break the bank. Even if they move by $2000. That's money in your pocket, not theirs, right? You don't want to get into arguments. You don't want to get into confrontations. You want to make it seem like you are agonizing a little bit.

"I have other offers in the same area. I was hoping you could match my highest offer." Understand, on your side, you need to be prepared to talk with them about what the number is and once they match and you have to be prepared to say, "Yes." There is no back and forth you anymore. It is done.

Also, understand that 5 or $10,000 is okay. $30,000, unless you are an executive level is not in the same ballpark. It is considered a wide difference in most organizations and their budget approach.

Recognize the difference here. Then, if they just increased by a little bit, you can respond by going, "I need to think about it. Can I get back to you later in the week?" When you get back to them, "this has been so hard. Is there any progress that you can make? Any improvement you can make?"

They may respond by saying, "No, that's it." Or, "that's really the best that we can do." Then you need to be prepared to give an answer.

No matter what, the approach is just to very simply give them the idea that you want to say yes, but they need to improve the offer. Then, be quiet. It's really that simple.

ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a career and leadership coach who worked as a recruiter for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 1300 episodes and his newest show, “No BS Coaching Advice.” He is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council.

Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, interview coaching, advice about networking more effectively, how to negotiate your offer or leadership coaching? Connect with me on LinkedIn. Then message me to schedule an initial complimentary session.

JobSearchCoachingHQ.com offers great advice for job hunters—videos, my books and guides to job hunting, podcasts, articles, PLUS a community for you to ask questions of PLUS the ability to ask me questions where I function as your ally with no conflict of interest answering your questions.